By Matilda Ikediobi

Federal Government, in partnership with the World Bank, has commenced the training of about 40,000 young Nigerians in various skills across the country under the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills, IDEAS, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, initiative.

The initiative is aimed at tackling youth unemployment through a wide range of vocational and technical programmes.

According to the State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, more than 80 million Nigerian youths are without jobs. The report, released by Plan International Nigeria in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, found that youth unemployment now stands at 53 per cent, making it the single greatest threat to the future of Africa’s most populous country.

In stemming this tide, National Project Coordinator, NPC, of the IDEAS Project, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, said the skills and knowledge to be imparted to participants would help them thrive and become financially independent.

Ogwu, who spoke in Lagos at the official flag-off of the initiative, urged participants not to underestimate the opportunities therein.

Represented by the TVET Coordinator, Professor Ayara Ndem, she said: “Today marks a pivotal step in our national effort to empower young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-evolving world. Through this initiative, we reaffirm our resolve to tackle unemployment, foster innovation and promote inclusive development across our great nation.

“The IDEAS-TVET initiative is currently training about 40,000 young Nigerians in various skills across the country. To our Training Service Providers, TSPs, we appreciate your dedication and professionalism. You are not just facilitators; you are nation-builders, helping us shape the future of our youths. To our young beneficiaries, seize this opportunity, stay committed to the course, learn, grow, and let this programme be the springboard to your success story.”

Also speaking at the event, a professor in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Olunifesi Suraj, said: “We are not interested in producing half-baked students. We want students who are finished products. These days, employers do not really have the time to train graduates to fit into their structures. What we have done is partner with prospective industries.

“I give this country 10 years or less, if this is sustained, we will have products that can be self-reliant and make the country entrepreneur-based.”

Meanwhile, one of the TSPs, Mr Paul Akinde, commended federal government for the initiative, describing it as an innovative way to tackle youth unemployment.

Akinde said: “We appreciate the federal government for this initiative. It will empower many youths and take a lot of them off the streets. The initiative means there is hope for Nigerian youths. This development is coming at the right time.”